I don't know why my shoulder hurts, it just does

Whilst trying not to give in to time (and age) I have shoulder, lower back and infrequent elbow pain. Looking for stock stretching exercises that can help regain range of motion without minor pain. Or should I just live with it? BTW does glucosamine/chondroitin work for users? Or just the marketers?

Nobody with good judgement can advise you until you get some diagnoses. You have the trifecta -- shoulder, lower back, and elbow -- and need to find out what the problems are before considering what might help them.

Whilst trying not to give in to time (and age) I have shoulder, lower back and infrequent elbow pain. Looking for stock stretching exercises that can help regain range of motion without minor pain. Or should I just live with it? BTW does glucosamine/chondroitin work for users? Or just the marketers?

Shoulder pain - you have not supplied much information on your shoulder pain.

Where is the pain?

When does the pain occur?

What motions cause the pain?

How long have you had the pain?

What is the longest period that you have taken off from tennis since you noticed the pain?

Click to expand...

I believe that the pain stems from a cycling accident and a partially separated, but stupidly untreated, shoulder. Or maybe I sleep funny? Or maybe I am old and years of unstretched use are haunting me? Who knows why? The pain is almost always at the top and towards the front. The pain is frequent. Most motions, including carrying heavy objects below my waist, cause some degree of pain. It has been two months, or nearly that long that I have has at least a twinge. The pain is NEVER searing. I don't take NSAIDs or use creams, just ice. I can't really take off from tennis as I have a 12 year old son who needs a "hitting partner" to keep his edge and I cannot afford to hire one in addition to camps, lessons and clinics. i would love to play age group tennis as helping my son to learn the game has reawakened the college-level competitor in me. I am trying to avoid a medical visit as I will not take pills. I would stretch or even do pt if it fit into my already jammed daily schedule.

I believe that the pain stems from a cycling accident ............................. Who knows why? The pain is almost always at the top and towards the front. ........................... I can't really take off from tennis as I have a 12 year old son who needs a "hitting partner" to keep his edge .................................................I am trying to avoid a medical visit ............................. I would stretch or even do pt if it fit into my already jammed daily schedule.

Click to expand...

You have an undiagnosed shoulder injury. Tennis is stressful for the normal shoulder and much more stressful for an injured shoulder. There is a reasonable chance that it will not spontaneously heal but will progressively get worse.

Location of the pain could be impingement, a common injury that often/usually gets worse with the same activity. The supraspinatus muscle-tendon is on the top and the most common location of shoulder impingement injury. I had mild tears of my supraspinatus tendon of my non-tennis arm probably from gym work. With use impingement tends to cause swelling and then the impingement gets worse. Research impingement. There are links on TW.

Sure you can take off from tennis and other stressful activity. A ball machine for you son?

You need to see a well qualified sports medicine Dr or other specialist and get a diagnosis as others have said.

You have an undiagnosed shoulder injury. Tennis is stressful for the normal shoulder and much more stressful for an injured shoulder. There is a reasonable chance that it will not spontaneously heal but will progressively get worse.

Location of the pain could be impingement, a common injury that often/usually gets worse with the same activity. The supraspinatus muscle-tendon is on the top and the most common location of shoulder impingement injury. I had mild tears of my supraspinatus tendon of my non-tennis arm probably from gym work. With use impingement tends to cause swelling and then the impingement gets worse. Research impingement. There are links on TW.

Sure you can take off from tennis and other stressful activity. A ball machine for you son?

You need to see a well qualified sports medicine Dr or other specialist and get a diagnosis as others have said.

Click to expand...

So, to be clear. My P.E. teacher was wrong all this time? I cannot "just walk it off?"

So, to be clear. My P.E. teacher was wrong all this time? I cannot "just walk it off?"

Click to expand...

To be clear there is always uncertainty with diagnosed injuries and much more with undiagnosed injuries.

I don't think that I came to any conclusion on diagnosis or treatment other than to research your injury and see a medically qualified professional.

I doubt that PE teachers or physical trainers and others who have not been medically trained to an adequate level, could give a very reliable diagnose for a shoulder injury especially following a cycle accident. Physical therapist are medically trained but not to the level of Drs.

I believe that the pain stems from a cycling accident and a partially separated, but stupidly untreated, shoulder. Or maybe I sleep funny? Or maybe I am old and years of unstretched use are haunting me? Who knows why? The pain is almost always at the top and towards the front. The pain is frequent. Most motions, including carrying heavy objects below my waist, cause some degree of pain. It has been two months, or nearly that long that I have has at least a twinge. The pain is NEVER searing. I don't take NSAIDs or use creams, just ice. I can't really take off from tennis as I have a 12 year old son who needs a "hitting partner" to keep his edge and I cannot afford to hire one in addition to camps, lessons and clinics. i would love to play age group tennis as helping my son to learn the game has reawakened the college-level competitor in me. I am trying to avoid a medical visit as I will not take pills. I would stretch or even do pt if it fit into my already jammed daily schedule.

Click to expand...

Your pain location, frequency and limitations sound very much like mine before I was diagnosed with a SLAP tear, which is also common along with or following dislocation/separation. If your legs are fine, I would run, not walk, to the best ortho who specializes in shoulders I could find. Mine required surgery and 18 months of rehab before it felt good again.

Your pain location, frequency and limitations sound very much like mine before I was diagnosed with a SLAP tear, which is also common along with or following dislocation/separation. If your legs are fine, I would run, not walk, to the best ortho who specializes in shoulders I could find. Mine required surgery and 18 months of rehab before it felt good again.

Click to expand...

Just looked it up-Whoa! Time to schedule an exam/tests/etc. Thanks to all for your input.

You have pain in your shoulder....could be something, could be nothing.

IMO I think your best best is to see a physical therapist if you live in a state that has direct access and allows you to see one without the referral of a physician.

The PT can do a comprehensive evaluation and can determine and refer out to a MD if they think imaging is necessary (MRI, X-ray, etc).

They can palpate the soft tissue and bones, check for imbalances and restrictions which may contribute to your pain.

And they can treat you right then and there, show you some exercises/stretches that may be able to reduce your symptoms. They can watch you while you perform activities and can make adjustments/modifications if necessary.

I'm not sure your primary physician can do all that. Referral out to an orthopod or referral out to a PT!. Pain meds which will just mask the problem but you've already said you don't want pills.

If you go to the orthopedic MD, first off, good luck getting an appointment in the next few days since you are a non-emergency....sure, the ortho can also do an evaluation...maybe show you a exercise or stretch or two, but then what? If he's conservative, he'll do what....refer you to PT! Complain enough and he might send you for some tests....

So now you have to wait again for an appt for imaging tests.

And then wait for the results....then wait for the doc to get you in to discuss your results....if it's minor then hey let's try PT first.....sigh.

Best bang for your buck....see a PT....you can still also make an appt for the ortho if you want, but you'll probably be able to get a few sessions in before your MD appt.

Under what circumstances and diagnosis would gluc/chondr be worth taking?

The impression I get from many doctors are that it has not been medically proven to help with anything.

Click to expand...

Many doctors do not consider anything outside of what is provided/promoted by large pharmaceutical companies. Try a search on the use of chondroitin and glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis. A number of sources, such as the Mayo Clinic and Medline, have suggested that the use of these substances could very well be effective for osteoarthritis. Here is one to get you started...

"Available evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. It is believed that the sulfate moiety provides clinical benefit in the synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis... glucosamine sulfate form is effective...

Glucosamine is commonly taken in combination with chondroitin, a glycosaminoglycan derived from articular cartilage. Use of complementary therapies, including glucosamine, is common in patients with osteoarthritis, and may allow for reduced doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents."